January Pastor Letter
Dear Friends,
It’s January--the start of another new year. Have you made any New Year resolutions? Often we think of getting in better shape physically--eating less and exercising more. Or we think of getting in better fiscal shape--spending less and saving more. These are good things to work on in this new year.
Given that this is the year 2020, it makes me think of perfect vision, being able to see clearly. One way I think we are able to see more clearly the path God has put in front of us is to pray. And so I invite you this new year to attend to getting in shape spiritually--worrying less and praying more. An easy way is to set aside just 10 or 5 or even just 1 minute each day and stop and say a prayer. A prayer with words or just a silent prayer, in which you listen to what God might be saying to you. A breath prayer in which you just breathe in and out slowly and prayerfully is as good as any spoken prayer. As the Bible says: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).
Prayer is powerful. It can fuel us when we are fearful and strengthen us when we are weak and transform us when we are open. Prayer is what has allowed people to move mountains and change governments. Prayer changes hearts and lives and even the world for good. There is power in prayer.
In May 2001 journalist Giles Brandeth interviewed South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It was a powerful experience for Brandeth, for Desmond Tutu was suffering from prostate cancer and there was a real chance this might be the last interview he would ever give. What might Tutu want to talk about? Perhaps the amazing transformation in the politics of his country, and of which he himself had a leading role. No. Here’s what he told Brandeth: “If this is going to be my last interview, I am glad we are not going to talk about politics. Let us talk about prayer and adoration, about faith, hope and forgiveness.” For Tutu these are the things that are the stuff of life (The Age).
For Desmond Tutu, prayer is the stuff of life, the power that gives life. Mahatma Gandhi couldn’t agree more. He said, “Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.” There is power in prayer. All we have to do is tap into it and be transformed by its power.
So join me in resolving this New Year to pray daily--for our world, our country, our city, our community, our church, our family, ourselves. To get you started, here is a prayer you can pray today:
Let us pray for the world in which the
Prince of Peace took flesh
and form, saying,
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
We give you thanks, Holy One,
for the light that has come into the
darkness of our world,
for the truth illuminated,
for the pathway that has opened,
for the rejoicing of your people.
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
We give you thanks for the feet of those
who bring good news, friendship, comfort,
food, shelter, and medicine for healing.
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
We give you thanks for the church of Christ Jesus
and for all people of faith
whose attention to the way of peace
tears down walls that keep us apart.
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
We give you thanks for this country
and for every nation where wisdom reigns,
where leaders work for the well-being of the poor,
so that no one is hungry or homeless,
and every child is valued and nourished.
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
We pray for the knowledge and courage
to be good stewards of all that you have given us:
ourselves, our neighbors, the strangers among us,
the oceans and rivers, the air and soil,
creatures large and small,
that we may continue to be blessed with health and life.
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
We pray for those whose flesh is harmed
by poverty, sickness, and cruelty of any kind,
that the Word-made-flesh may so fill your world
with the power to heal that all people
would be made strong and whole.
Hear us, O God; your mercy is great.
We commend all these things to you
and offer our thanksgiving,
trusting that what we have left unsaid,
your holy wisdom can unearth;
in the name of the One who came among us
in the power of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
(Adapted from: David L. Bartlett, Barbara Brown Taylor & Kimberly Bracken Long. Feasting on the Word Advent Companion: A Thematic Resource for Preaching and Worship, p. 125).
We pray to God, trusting that God will answer as it should be. But, as it has been wisely said, “the function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays” (Soren Kierkegaard). So, we pray not with the expectation to change the world, but with the sincere hope that our own heart and mind will be changed for the good. May it be so.
Prayerfully yours,
Pastor Donna